Art Hagan

Who was Art Hagan?

Arthur Charles "Art" Hagan was an American Major League Baseball player who pitched for two seasons; Philadelphia Quakers of the National League in 1883, and with the Buffalo Bisons in both 1883 and 1884.

On August 21, 1883, when the Quakers traveled to Providence, Rhode Island to play the Providence Grays, Manager Bob Ferguson, needed to increase ticket sales on the road because the American Association entry in Philadelphia had forced the Quakers to reduce prices to 25 cents a game. He gave the starting pitcher duties to Art, who was Rhode Island native, with the idea that Hagen's appearance would draw the locals. The strategy worked as the fans came in large numbers. However, Hagen surrendered 28 runs and the Quakers made 20 errors behind him, as Philadelphia lost in the most lopsided shutout in major league history, 28–0. Charles "Old Hoss" Radbourn was the winning pitcher.

Art died at the age of 73 in his hometown of Providence, and is interred at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston, Rhode Island.